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There is still much wilderness and wildlife beauty in the United States. The conventional way to enjoy them is to go hunting, fishing, hiking and camping. But you can add value to these typical experiences as a volunteer vacation traveler. You&amp;#039;ll still see the sights and enjoy the beauty while contributing to a group&amp;rsquo;s worthy cause or helping a beneficial project meet its goals.

American Hiking Society

Most outdoor recreation enthusiasts have benefited from the work of this organization. Its main mission for the past 30 years has been to protect and preserve the nation&amp;rsquo;s trails, making them safe and enjoyable for anyone. The American Hiking Society also takes an advocates role, involving itself in public policy-making regarding any aspect of the hiking experience. The organization&amp;#039;s Volunteer Vacation program involves trail-building projects in remote locations in various states. Volunteers are placed in groups of six to 15 members and supervised by a team leader. Work days can last for six to seven hours and can include hiking, backpacking and camping. Volunteers&amp;#039; skill sets and capabilities are considered, and there are options for helping with easy, moderate or strenuous projects. American Hiking Society 1422 Fenwick Lane Silver Spring, MD 20910 301-565-6704 americanhiking.org

Earthwatch Institute

The Earthwatch Institute is a nonprofit international organization with an ecological focus. In pursuit of its environmental protection and research aims, the group takes volunteers on expeditions to collect and document field data. Its hands-on educational opportunities aim to promote public awareness about environmental issues while providing an exciting experience. For example, expedition programs for teens include documenting the ecosystems in and around New York City; volunteers are grouped into teams and housed in the Blue Mountain Park Lodge in Peerskill, NY. Earthwatch Institute--United States 114 Western Ave. Boston, MA 800-776-0188 978-461-0081 earthwatch.org

Sierra Club Inner City Outings

The Sierra Club offers Inner City Outings, whose goal is to provide an outdoor experience to urban, low-income youth. Adults can volunteer to accompany and supervise the children and escort them into local wilderness areas. Outdoor recreational activities range from kayaking to cross-country skiing, and participation in small, environmental projects is encouraged. ICO volunteer options vary from state to state. Sierra Club National Headquarters 85 Second St., Second Floor San Francisco, CA 94105 415-977-5568 (ICO program number) sierraclub.org

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About the Author

LaTasha Favors has been writing professionally since 2008. She specializes in travel- and health-related topics and has published articles on various websites, including Search-costa-rica.com and MyFrenchRealEstate.com.